safety News

Emergency personnel from Southeastern Conference universities are on the UT Knoxville campus today for the Police Chief and Emergency Manager Conference. The two-day conference is the first of its kind, and brings together thirty emergency management professionals from all twelve of the SEC schools.

WVLT-TV spoke with Lt. Emily Simerly of the UT Police Department about security changes on campus since the terror attacks on September 11, 2001. UT Knoxville hosts high-profile guests and crowds of thousands, both of which are potential terrorism targets. Simerly says UTPD is as prepared as it’s ever been, and that most people probably don’t notice the bulk of the changes that have taken place.

The National Weather Service is reporting severe thunderstorms, including tornado activity, approaching our area. Watch local media closely and take proper precautions should a tornado threaten campus.

Spring brings warmer weather, lots of blooming plants…and the possibility of severe weather. Since tornadoes or high winds can form with little or no warning, the campus community should stay vigilant and know what to do in the event of severe weather.

The UT Police Department is celebrating National Public Safety Telecommunications Week April 11-17. Sponsored by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International and celebrated annually, National Public Safety Telecommunications Week honors the thousands of men and women who respond to emergency calls, dispatch emergency professionals and equipment, and render life-saving assistance.

UT Knoxville is approaching the end of the 2011 spring semester. This is a time of increased hours of studying and preparing final projects. The UT Police Department would like to remind everyone to take an active role in keeping their personal items safe. Statistically, April is one of the highest property crime months of the year. With everyone’s help, these kinds of crime can be reduced.

UT Knoxville is scheduled to conduct a test of its UT ALERT system this afternoon. The test is tentatively scheduled for 4 p.m. The UT ALERT system allows students, faculty, and staff to be notified via text message in the event of an emergency or campus closure. The message also can be sent to a designated e-mail address, PDA, or pager. Students, faculty, and staff must opt in to the service.

The University of Tennessee has installed life-saving devices in additional buildings on campus. The devices, automated external defibrillators (AEDs), automatically analyze the heart rhythm of someone suspected of having a heart attack. If the AED detects a problem that may respond to an electrical shock, the device will deliver the shock to restore normal heart rhythm.

UT Knoxville welcomes fans to campus Saturday for the year’s final home football game. Kickoff for the Volunteers’ game against the Wildcats of the University of Kentucky is scheduled for 12:21 p.m. ET. Gates open at 10:15 a.m. The SEC Sports Network will televise the game.